Real Madrid has been famous throughout its history for concluding huge deals with large sums of money, especially during the reign of current president Florentino Perez, who has brought famous names to the royal club since his first accession to the presidency in 2000.
The last of these contracts was the arrival of young Englishman Jody Bellingham (19 years old) from Borussia Dortmund in a major financial deal that put him on the list of the most expensive players in Real Madrid’s history.
📽️⚽ The fun awaits ✨ @BellinghamJude | #HeyJude pic.twitter.com/XlISiymjx1
– Real Madrid (@realmadridarab) June 14, 2023
In the following lines, we take a look at the 10 most expensive deals in Real Madrid’s history, all of which took place in the new millennium.
10- Luis Figo (60 million euros)
President Florentino Perez fulfilled his “crazy” electoral promises, and as soon as he won the presidency of Real Madrid, he moved directly and signed a contract with the Portuguese star, who was the captain of rivals Barcelona and its most prominent player.
The deal that sparked outrage among Barcelona supporters took place on July 1, 2000, for 60 million euros.
Luka Jovic (63 million euros)
The Serbian striker became an official player in the ranks of Real Madrid on the fourth of June 2019, by moving from Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany, for 63 million euros.
Jovic disappointed expectations and was unable to get out of the shadow of Frenchman Karim Benzema, and settled for scoring 3 goals in 51 games before leaving for Fiorentina.
Kaka (67 million euros)
In the second term of President Florentino Pérez, Brazilian superstar Kaka signed his transfer contract to Real Madrid on June 2, 2009, in a deal amounting to 67 million euros.
But Kaka did not provide the required level due to his repeated injuries, in addition to his strained relationship with coach Jose Mourinho, so he returned after 4 seasons to Milan after playing 120 matches for Real Madrid, during which he scored 29 goals.
James Rodriguez (75 million euros)
The Colombian star caught the eye with his brilliance in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which prompted Perez to sign him and join him to Real Madrid from Monaco for 75 million euros, and that was on July 12, 2014.
Zinedine Zidane (77 million euros)
Just one year after the arrival of Figo, specifically on the ninth of July 2001, Perez included another heavy-caliber star, the French Zidane, after he put 77.5 million euros on Juventus’ table.
At that time, the deal was a record amount, but Zidane gifted Real Madrid the Champions League title in his first season with the team, in addition to the other titles he achieved throughout his stay in the Spanish capital until he retired in 2006.
Aurelien Choameni (80 million euros)
Real Madrid signed Tchoameni on June 11, 2022, from Monaco, in a deal amounting to 80 million euros, in a contract that extends until 2028.
It can be said that Tshwamini’s first seasons with Real Madrid were good, as he was crowned with 3 titles, starting with the European Super Cup, then the Club World Cup, and ending with the King’s Cup of Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo (96 million euros)
The Royal Club announced the arrival of the Portuguese star on July 6, 2009, in exchange for 96 million euros, which he paid to his former club, Manchester United.
Al-Don achieved many successes with Real Madrid, as he became the club’s historic scorer with 450 goals, and he also won many titles, most notably the European Champions League 4 times and the Spanish League twice, before he moved to Juventus in 2018.
Gareth Bale (100 million euros)
In the summer of 2013, he became the most expensive Welsh player in the history of Real Madrid at that time, when he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur for 100 million euros.
Bale scored 106 goals in 258 matches with Real Madrid and won the Champions League 5 times and the Club World Cup on 4 occasions, as well as 3 championships in the Spanish League and other titles.
Jude Bellingham (103 million euros)
It is the new deal for Real Madrid, according to which Bellingham became the second most expensive player in the history of the royal club, with a price of 103 million euros, in addition to another 30 million as variables.
Eden Hazard (115 million euros)
It is both the most expensive and worst deal in the history of Real Madrid, as Hazard moved from Chelsea to Meringue in 2019 for 115 million euros.
Hazard’s deal was considered the worst for Real Madrid, based on the player’s numbers, who scored only 6 goals in 76 games he played over 4 seasons, before the club terminated his contract at the end of the last season 2022-2023.
